UW problems more urgent than Lyall raise
How can UW System President Katharine Lyall look in the mirror and not be disgusted with herself? Tuitions have gone up, a recession is blooming and she gets a $93,000 raise. Basically, that comes down to every single student in the UW System handing over a dollar to her. I'll remember her when I sit in another broken seat at Ag Hall. I'll think of her when I have to wait half an hour to get on a computer in one of UW-Madison's labs. President Lyall, you should hang your head in shame.
Ignorance no excuse for circumcision in Midwest
I was pleased to read the article by Lisa Wade (""Male genital mutilation inexcusable,"" Oct. 19). Ms. Wade is to be commended for speaking up in a Midwest forum. The Midwest in America is the hotbed of male genital mutilation in America. While the rate nationally has dropped to about 60 percent, the rate is closer to 85 percent in the Midwest.
The atrocity of circumcision is so entrenched in the Midwest that one woman recently told me that she thought it was required by law. As absurd as that may sound, during World War II some military men were subjected to court martial if they did not agree to be circumcised. Circumcision then was thought to be needed to prevent venereal disease. Circumcision began its inroad into American life in the late 1800s. Initially in that Victorian era, it was viewed as a cure for masturbation among other medical maladies. Since then it has continued as a solution in search of a problem. Today, circumcision also continues as a revenue generator and harvested foreskins, certainly without the consent of the patient, are used to generate hundreds of millions of dollars from the sale of commercial products created from the foreskins. Recently, McGhan Medical Corp applied for FDA approval to use amputated foreskins to make collagen to make the lips of America's women look more attractive.
While what Ms. Wade says about the loss of sensitivity in the head of the glans is true, it should be also understood that the amputated foreskin is very sensitive tissue. So why cut it off?
Much information is available in opposition to circumcision. Today, no expectant parent can be excused for acting out of ignorance. Every expectant parent has a duty to investigate this subject before signing the form that authorizes the subtotal amputation of his or her son's penis.
